ideogram

noun

ideo·​gram ˈi-dē-ə-ˌgram How to pronounce ideogram (audio)
ˈī-
Synonyms of ideogramnext
1
: a picture or symbol used in a system of writing to represent a thing or an idea but not a particular word or phrase for it
especially : one that represents not the object pictured but some thing or idea that the object pictured is supposed to suggest
2
: logogram
ideogramic adjective
or ideogrammic
ˌi-dē-ə-ˈgra-mik How to pronounce ideogram (audio)
ˌī-
ideogrammatic
ˌi-dē-ō-grə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce ideogram (audio)
ˌī-
adjective

Examples of ideogram in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This erroneous belief that all Chinese characters are ideograms — symbols that express ideas directly, without language — remains widespread today in the West. — Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 6 May 2025 The encrusted object clearly qualified as cultural property, even more so when the treasure hunters cleaned it up, revealing that the shining chunk was actually an ingot stamped with Chinese ideograms. — Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ideogram was in 1838

Rhymes for ideogram

See All Rhymes for ideogram

Browse Nearby Words

ideogenetic
ideogram
ideograph
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ideogram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideogram. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

ideogram

noun
ideo·​gram ˈīd-ē-ə-ˌgram How to pronounce ideogram (audio)
ˈid-
1
: a picture or symbol used in a system of writing to represent a thing or an idea but not a particular word or phrase
2
: a character or symbol (as 3) used in a system of writing to represent an entire word but not its individual sounds

More from Merriam-Webster on ideogram

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ideogram

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ideogram

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

More Words with Remarkable Origins
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All